OCR Text |
Show THE FOUR VOICE SUPPLEMENT SHARON OF THE ROMANCE OF ELECTRICITY A V A Woman Visits the Powex Plant . . . (Continued from page one) Then, Mr. Clawson continued, The coal taken by means of a screw convejer to the chain grate stoker, where it is transposed into heat units. I nodded iny head meaning to give the impression that screw conveyers or chain gates were familiar contrivances to me, whereas, to be frank, I havent an idea concerning them. We had gone inside the building and as we talked, we walked and climbed stairs and Mr. Clawson pointed out one mechanism after another and explained in a general way what happened in each. I couldnt help thrilling to the idea that here was romance of the nth degree. I tried the idea on Mr. Clawson. Romance of Ages Isnt it romantic that in the long ago ag(S, plants grew in duxuriant beds, to live a small life span and disappear and instead of that, this long time after, we have their dead coal bodies plaing such an important part in our But how is coal changed life histones into electricity? By being transposed into heat units. And thats simple. It is done by means of a boiler or a steam generating unit that will evaporate is .... 200,000 pounds of water into steam each hour. "I understand Coal is burned and the heat from it is applied to water which turns into steam. Just like my tea kettle on the coal range at home. But imagine evaporating 200,-00- 0 pounds of water an hour I cant. Yes, we do have quite a boiler here. It is rated at 7500 horse power. (I looked up .the meaning of horse power when I got home and found that one horse power is supposed to represent the load that one horse could carry) And, Mr. Clawson went on, the steam will have a pressure of 450 pounds. But it isnt hot enough for use yet, so more heat is applied until the steam becomes, a colorless vapor which is now ready for use in the turbine. stopped before the huge black Ye tur- bine (which is so closely connected with a generator that it is called a and I gazed in awe at what I surmised was the holy of holies of the plant. I dont know what it was that sent the thrill down my spine for that mass of iron didnt have a pretty thing it managed, nevertheless, to be about downright handsome in a big masculine way. Mr. Clawson said, This turbine was made by the General Electric Company and has many new features that have not been incorporated in plants heretofore built. The steam enters the machine and causes it to revolve at a speed of 1800 revolutions per minute and turbo-generato- it-j- r) this turns the generator which is directly connected and where the electricity-imade. Fool Speaks But how is it made? I see how coal is transposed into heat units through the medium of steam. But just how does this next step of heat units to electricity take place? Thus spoke the fooi in me. I know Mr. Clawson and his engineers understand it all perfectly but it was much too much for me. I got this much from the explanation, however. The generator field is an immense system of copper coils, some rotating and some stationary. The movement of the field at 1800 revolutions per minute sets the electrons in the copper in motion and they are sent out over the lines of the transmission system. It all sounded like a magicians trick to me From this generator, said Mr. Clawson, the electricity is started out over the power line at 44,000 volts to serve the people. I looked up the meaning of volt too when I got home and discovered (this version isnt Websters from what he said, I dont think he understood it either) that the electricity in a line can be compared to a stream of water. The water standing still would represent the current of electricity but the water moving would represent the amount of speed, or voltage, of the current. The ceiling of the room in which we were, had many pipes twisting about. The twists were to take care of the expan- s good-size- d . i r I G f siu of the metals due to changing of temperatures of steam. They were bound with as bestos, as everything that carried heat, even the furnace, was insulated with it. Now I could see how the plant vas going to be kept cool while housing a roaring furnace and also how more heat would be conserved. Steam To Water "The steam, Mr. Clawson went on, "when it has completed its purpose of turning the is then drawn into an immense condenser where it is condensed back into water to be used again in supplying the boiler. The boiler specifications require that the water used be absolutely pure in order to prevent corrosion in the boiler tubes. Consequently it is important that we condense all the steam back into water and then return it to the boiler feed system. This is also an Then why, I asked, economy measure. "did you have to build your plant on a river when you keep using the same water over again? We need new water in the cooling or condensing process. Now to continue: When the water leaves the condenser it is cooled to 90 degrees F. This is too low for the boiler feed so it is passed through a system of reheaters whrich bring it up to 325 degrees F, before it is injected into the boiler by the boiler feed pumps. Engineers have been very clever here too in saving every' possible bit of heat by means of perfected machienry. Giants of Power I gazed about the room again at its intricate and still mysterious furnishings and felt in the presence of a mighty life force though nothing moved but the workers. But those generous black bodies needed only a spark fo turn them into giants of power. And even now in their quietness, there was a live spirit there, born into them by the engineering genius that had created them and now was ready to control their activity to a desired use. Mr. Clawson led the way again and continued pleasantly trying to say things in language I could understand. I he electrical end of the plant, in addition to the turbogenerator, consists of the installation of pumps and controls and the transformer system where the power is transformed from its generator voltage of 13000 volts to 44000 which is high line voltage. Passed experience had taught me I had better no ask how- the power was tranformed I was b isy keeping up with what already being said but I did - - - enjoy looking at those big transformers. There were decorative little knobs and twists and flutings thu made them seem almost dainty in comparison with the other I caught myself mentally applying a bow of ribbon but came to in time to learn that 44000 volts is distributed to certain centers, siwh a Provo or Orem, ..T Pleasant Grove, but has to transformed there "to lower volt5.1, tw used for power be ages to in and the homes, lighting tubo-generato- and-ove- r, r motor-d- riven - para-phenali- ft 36 inch Circulating Water Pump and Piping - ... Compliments to Utah Power & Light Co. -- a. J a Geo. M. Nuttall A Good Place to Eat CONTRACTORS Heating & Plumbing Contractors Provo, Utah Provo, Utah -- at. Greetings.... To Utah Power & Light Co. .SUTTON CA ''".a; Provo, Utah Phone 1050 t ft Y T GREETINGS'. Power & Light Company on the completion of the New Steam Electric Plant at Caryhurst. To the Utah Pmvn B P m PniBBiflru ft. Mapliino Hn UC3BBL3I U Ci IIIUUlllllU UU The Structural Steel for this Plant Was Fabricated at Our Plant B BSBBBEBBBBBBBBBBB FBB 'B'B"B' B'B if Two Main 9375 K.V.A. Transformers N Utah Power & Light Co. ri Breakfast When morning came, I had on my prettiest morni- g frock, .and if I do say so myself, both I and the breakfast looked appetizing. Id cooked breakfast on the electric stove and the electric toaster and percolator worked beautifully. And my mind was fairly popping with phrases about track hoppers, and voltages, and horse powers, and chain grates which 1 intended to use on John as soon as he laid down his paper and commenced to eat. I put bread in the toaster and marvelled at the lovely color it soon took. 1 poured Johns coffee and sighed with pleasure as he laid down his paper and began to give us (the I had breakfast and me) some attention almost forgotten about all the things behind by power switch when John brought me suddenly back to earth with a stupefying question. By the way, dear, what was the matter with your toaster yesterday?" My head whirled with, words: turbines, generators, transformers, upside down smokestacks but none of them sugge .ted the answer I needed. I lowered my eyes and meekly answered. I cant imagine, John. a ElevatoV and 130 Ton Coal Bunker B.B'B'B 1 toast. i Compliments to a ja.B'i u turbo-generato- - s u , And think of it: The new plant will be able to as well supply power for 31,000 average homes as all that could posnfy bfe desired for man1 certainly think we re ufacturing purposes. fortunate to get it. Turn on Coal Mr. Clawson said that the plant was so automatically controlled that if an additional demand were made upon it, that demand could For example, by the mere be easily met. turning on of an electric light in our home, more coal is poured into the power plant furr, nace, more steatjn flows into the and extra power is sent out over the lines in our service. When I got home I immediately went to the light switch and flooded the house with soft brilliance. Then I leaned against the wall with eyes closed and visualized all that lay behind the power of that switch and got a little dizzy with my own small appreciation of a magnificent service. I sent the toaster to the service department of the Utah Power and Light Company to be repaired and the planned how I would dazzle John in the mon I handed him ing with my information as OTT EB:TrE:E,:B7S;a,E Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y X Y mess. To Utah Power & Light Company The Completion of the New Power Plant Marks a Now Era in the Progress of Orem and Utah County. Mutual Coal & Lumber Co. JOHN O. BEESLEY, Mgr. Provo, Utah X :3:E'B.a ' I |